Tissue ablation system with energy distribution

ABSTRACT

A microwave ablation system includes an energy source adapted to generate microwave energy and a power splitting device having an input adapted to connect to the energy source and a plurality of outputs. The plurality of outputs are configured to be coupled to a corresponding plurality of energy delivery devices. The power splitting device is configured to selectively divide energy provided from the energy source between the plurality of energy devices.

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/562,842, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,028,473, filed on Sep. 18,2009, the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to apparatus and methods for providingenergy to tissue and, more particularly, to devices and electromagneticradiation delivery procedures utilizing ablation probes and methods ofcontrolling the delivery of electromagnetic radiation to tissue.

2. Discussion of Related Art

Treatment of certain diseases requires destruction of malignant tumors.Electromagnetic radiation can be used to heat and destroy tumor cells.Treatment may involve inserting ablation probes into tissues wherecancerous tumors have been identified. Once the probes are positioned,electromagnetic energy is passed through the probes into surroundingtissue.

In the treatment of diseases such as cancer, certain types of cancercells have been found to denature at elevated temperatures that areslightly lower than temperatures normally injurious to healthy cells.Known treatment methods, such as hyperthermia therapy, useelectromagnetic radiation to heat diseased cells to temperatures above41° C. while maintaining adjacent healthy cells below the temperature atwhich irreversible cell destruction occurs. These methods involveapplying electromagnetic radiation to heat, ablate and/or coagulatetissue. Microwave energy is sometimes utilized to perform these methods.Other procedures utilizing electromagnetic radiation to heat tissue alsoinclude coagulation, cutting and/or ablation of tissue.

Electrosurgical devices utilizing electromagnetic radiation have beendeveloped for a variety of uses and applications. A number of devicesare available that can be used to provide high bursts of energy forshort periods of time to achieve cutting and coagulative effects onvarious tissues. There are a number of different types of apparatus thatcan be used to perform ablation procedures. Typically, microwaveapparatus for use in ablation procedures include a microwave generator,which functions as an energy source, and a microwave surgical instrumenthaving an antenna assembly for directing the energy to the targettissue. The microwave generator and surgical instrument are typicallyoperatively coupled by a cable assembly having a plurality of conductorsfor transmitting microwave energy from the generator to the instrument,and for communicating control, feedback and identification signalsbetween the instrument and the generator.

Microwave energy is typically applied via antenna assemblies that canpenetrate tissue. Several types of antenna assemblies are known, such asmonopole and dipole antenna assemblies. In monopole and dipole antennaassemblies, microwave energy generally radiates perpendicularly awayfrom the axis of the conductor. A monopole antenna assembly includes asingle, elongated conductor that transmits microwave energy. A typicaldipole antenna assembly has two elongated conductors, which are linearlyaligned and positioned end-to-end relative to one another with anelectrical insulator placed therebetween. Each conductor may be about ¼of the length of a wavelength of the microwave energy, making theaggregate length of the two conductors about ½ of the wavelength of thesupplied microwave energy. During certain procedures, it can bedifficult to assess the extent to which the microwave energy willradiate into the surrounding tissue, making it difficult to determinethe area or volume of surrounding tissue that will be ablated.

SUMMARY

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a microwaveablation system includes an energy source adapted to generate microwaveenergy and a power splitting device having an input adapted to connectto the energy source and a plurality of outputs. The plurality ofoutputs are configured to be coupled to a corresponding plurality ofenergy delivery devices. The power splitting device is configured toselectively divide energy provided from the energy source between theplurality of energy devices.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a microwaveablation system includes an energy source adapted to generate microwaveenergy and a power splitting device having an input adapted to connectto the energy source and a plurality of outputs. The plurality ofoutputs are configured to be coupled to a corresponding plurality ofenergy delivery devices via corresponding transmission lines. The powersplitting device is configured to selectively divide energy providedfrom the energy source between the plurality of energy delivery deviceseither equally or unequally.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a method forproviding energy to a target tissue includes the steps of positioning aplurality of energy delivery devices into a portion of the target tissueand selectively dividing energy on a plurality of channels to at leastone of the energy delivery devices. The method also includes applyingenergy from one or more of the energy delivery devices to the targettissue.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an electrosurgical system for treatingtissue, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an electrosurgical system for treatingtissue, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an electrosurgical system for treatingtissue, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an electrosurgical system for treatingtissue, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a method for treating tissue,according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the presently disclosed tissue ablationsystems are described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Likereference numerals may refer to similar or identical elements throughoutthe description of the figures. As used herein, the term “microwave”generally refers to electromagnetic waves in the frequency range of 300megahertz (MHz) (3×108 cycles/second) to 300 gigahertz (GHz) (3×10″cycles/second). As used herein, the phrase “transmission line” generallyrefers to any transmission medium that can be used for the propagationof signals from one point to another (including, but not limited tocoaxial cables, waveguides etc.).

Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide electrosurgicalsystems for treating tissue and methods of controlling the delivery ofelectromagnetic radiation to tissue. Embodiments may be implementedusing electromagnetic radiation at microwave frequencies or at otherfrequencies. Electrosurgical systems for treating tissue, according tovarious embodiments of the present disclosure, deliver microwave powerto a plurality of electrosurgical devices. Electrosurgical devices, suchas ablation probes, for implementing embodiments of the presentdisclosure may be inserted directly into tissue, inserted through alumen, such as a vein, needle or catheter, placed into the body duringsurgery by a clinician, or positioned in or on the body by othersuitable methods known in the art.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an electrosurgical system for treatingtissue, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Referringto FIG. 1, the electrosurgical system 100 includes an electrosurgicalgenerator 120 for generating an output signal, a power splitter 150coupled to the electrosurgical generator 120, and an electrosurgicalinstrument or device 130 coupled to the power splitter 150. The powersplitter 150 is coupled to a transmission line 107 that electricallyconnects the power splitter 150 to an output 124 on the electrosurgicalgenerator 120. The device 130 includes an antenna assembly 132 fordelivery of electromagnetic radiation, coupled to a transmission line104 that electrically connects the antenna assembly 132 to the powersplitter 150. Although not shown as such in FIG. 1, device 130 mayinclude a plurality of antenna assemblies.

The electrosurgical generator 120 may include other input or outputdevices such as knobs, dials, switches, buttons, graphical userinterfaces, displays, and the like for control, indication and/oroperation. The electrosurgical generator 120 may be capable ofgenerating a plurality of output signals of various frequencies that areinput to the power splitter 150. In one embodiment, the electrosurgicalgenerator 120 generates a plurality of microwave signals atsubstantially the same frequency. The electrosurgical generator 120 mayinclude a control unit (not shown) that controls operations of theelectrosurgical generator 120, such as time of operation, power outputand/or the mode of electrosurgical operation, which may have beenselected by the clinician.

The electrosurgical system 100 may include a footswitch (not shown)coupled to the electrosurgical generator 120. When actuated, thefootswitch causes the electrosurgical generator 120 to generatemicrowave energy. The device 130 may include knobs, dials, switches,buttons or the like (not shown) to communicate to the electrosurgicalgenerator 120 to adjust or select from a number of configuration optionsfor delivering energy. Utilizing knobs, dials, switches or buttons onthe device 130 and/or a footswitch enables the clinician to activate theelectrosurgical generator 120 to energize the device 130 while remainingnear the patient P regardless of the location of the electrosurgicalgenerator 120.

Although not shown as such in FIG. 1, electrosurgical system 100 mayinclude a plurality of channels defined by a plurality ofelectrosurgical devices and a plurality of transmission lines thatelectrically connect the electrosurgical devices to the power splitter150. In an embodiment, the power splitter 150 is capable of monitoringthe phase of each channel and adjusting the phase of the signal in eachchannel with respect to the other channel(s) to a predetermined phaserelationship. The power splitter 150 provides a plurality of signals tothe device 130 in a set of phase relationships between the signals.Although the power splitter 150 is illustrated as a standalone module inFIG. 1, it is to be understood that the power splitter 150 may beintegrated fully or partially into the electrosurgical generator 120,the device 130, and/or other devices. Furthermore, it may be appreciatedthat electrosurgical generator 120, output 124, transmission lines 107and 104 and power splitter 150 could be integrated within device 130,thus obviating the need for separate elements.

The antenna assembly 132 includes multiple antennas and/or multipleantenna elements, each driven by an output signal of the power splitter150. The antenna assembly 132 may also include multiple antennacircuits, each driven by an output signal of the power splitter 150.

In embodiments, the antenna assembly 132 is a microwave antennaconfigured to allow direct insertion or penetration into tissue of thepatient P. The antenna assembly 132 may be axially rigid to allow fortissue penetration. The antenna assembly 132 is sufficiently small indiameter to be minimally invasive of the body, which may reduce thepreparation of the patient P as might be required for more invasivepenetration of the body. The antenna assembly 132 is inserted directlyinto tissue, inserted through a lumen, such as, for example, a vein,needle or catheter, placed into the body during surgery by a clinician,or positioned in the body by other suitable methods.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an electrosurgical system for treatingtissue, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.Referring to FIG. 2, the electrosurgical system 200 includes a microwavesignal source 210 providing a microwave frequency output signal to amicrowave amplifier unit 220, a microwave power splitter 230 coupled tothe microwave amplifier unit 220, and a first, a second and a thirdmicrowave ablation antenna assembly 270A, 270B and 270C, each coupled tothe microwave power splitter 230. The microwave signal source 210 iscapable of generating a plurality of output signals of variousfrequencies that are input to the microwave amplifier unit 220. Themicrowave amplifier unit 220 may have any suitable input power andoutput power.

In the electrosurgical system 200, a first transmission line 250Aelectrically connects the first antenna assembly 270A to the microwavepower splitter 230, defining a first channel; a second transmission line250B electrically connects the second antenna assembly 270B to themicrowave power splitter 230, defining a second channel; and a thirdtransmission line 250C electrically connects the third antenna assembly270C to the microwave power splitter 230, defining a third channel. Thefirst, second and third transmission lines 250A, 250B and 250C may eachinclude one or more electrically conductive elements, such aselectrically conductive wires.

In an embodiment, the first, second, and third transmission lines 250A,250B and 250C each have substantially the same length, which preservesthe phase relationship between the electrical signals in each channel ofthe electrosurgical system 200. It is to be understood that “length” mayrefer to electrical length or physical length. In general, electricallength is an expression of the length of a transmission medium in termsof the wavelength of a signal propagating within the medium. Electricallength is normally expressed in terms of wavelength, radius, or degrees.For example, electrical length may be expressed as a multiple orsub-multiple of the wavelength of an electromagnetic wave or electricalsignal propagating within a transmission medium. The wavelength may beexpressed in radians or in artificial units of angular measure, such asdegrees. The microwave power splitter 230 may be implemented by anysuitable power divider that provides equal or unequal power split at theoutput ports of the microwave power splitter 230 while substantiallymaintaining phase and amplitude balance. For example, the microwavepower splitter 230 may be implemented using a 3-way power divider thatprovides equal or unequal power split at its output ports whilemaintaining a phase balance of <+/−45 degrees.

Each antenna assembly 270A, 270B and 270C typically includes a rigid orbendable needle or needle-like structure. The antenna assemblies 270A,270B and 270C are positioned substantially parallel to each other, forexample, spaced about 5 millimeters (mm) apart, and inserted directlyinto tissue or placed into the body during surgery by a clinician, orpositioned in the body by other suitable methods. Although theelectrosurgical system 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 includes threemicrowave ablation antenna assemblies 270A, 270B and 270C, it is to beunderstood that any “N” number of antenna assemblies may be utilized andthat microwave power splitter 230 may be implemented by any suitablepower divider that divides or splits a microwave input signal into “N”number of output signals of equal or unequal power.

The electrosurgical system 200 delivers microwave power to one or moreantenna assemblies 270A, 270B and 270C of the three-channel system. Theelectrosurgical system 200 may deliver substantially in-phase microwavepower to each antenna assembly 270A, 270B and 270C. By controlling thephase of ablation probes with respect to each other, according toembodiments of the present disclosure, a desired effect on tissuebetween the probes is produced. In ablation procedures using in-phaseprobes, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure,there may be a reduction in energy that might otherwise move between theantenna shafts toward the surface with out-of-phase probes.

In an embodiment, the electrosurgical system 200 is implemented withoperating frequencies in the range of about 300 MHz to about 5 GHz,which may be useful in performing ablation procedures and/or otherprocedures. It is to be understood that the electrosurgical system 200may be implemented with any appropriate range of operating frequencies.

In another embodiment, the electrosurgical system 200 delivers microwavepower to particular channels individually or any combination of one ormore channels equally or unequally. The microwave signal source 210and/or antenna assembly 270A, 270B and 270C may include input or outputdevices such as knobs, dials, switches, buttons, graphical userinterfaces, displays, and the like to facilitate selective activation ofenergy delivery to particular channels or combination of channels. Forexample, a user may select channels to which energy is delivered. Inthis scenario, if the second and third channels are selected, energydelivery may be divided equally (e.g., P/2) between the second and thirdchannels and, thus, unequally between the first channel and the secondand third channels since no energy is delivered to the first channel inthis scenario. Further, in this scenario, energy may be delivered toindividual channels according to selected time intervals by dynamicallychanging the channels to which energy is delivered. For example, energymay be delivered to the first channel at a time interval t1. At asubsequent time interval t2, energy is delivered to the first channeland the third channel. At a subsequent time interval t3, energy deliveryto the first channel is stopped and energy delivery to the third channelcontinues. At a subsequent time interval t4, energy delivery to allchannels is stopped.

In another embodiment, the microwave power splitter 230 divides energybetween the antenna assemblies 270A, 270B and 270C to tailor the sizeand shape of ablation lesions. With this purpose in mind,electrosurgical system 200 may include a suitable storage device (notshown) integrated within the microwave signal source 210, the microwavepower splitter 230, or be a stand-alone device, that is configured tostore settings or data corresponding to particular ablation geometries(e.g., ablation images, antenna tip geometries, power division settings,power amplitude settings, etc.). Based on the stored settings or data,the microwave signal source 210 modifies delivery of microwave power tothe microwave power splitter 230 and/or the microwave power splitter 230modifies the division of microwave power between the channels to achievethe desired ablation geometry.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an electrosurgical system for treatingtissue, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referringto FIG. 3, the electrosurgical system 300 includes a microwave signalsource 310 providing a microwave frequency output signal to a microwavepower splitter 330, and a first, a second, a third, and a fourthmicrowave ablation antenna assembly 370A, 370B, 370C, and 370C, eachcoupled to the microwave power splitter 330. The microwave signal source310 is capable of generating a plurality of output signals of variousfrequencies that are input to the microwave power splitter 330.

The microwave power splitter 330 includes a first quarter wavelengthtransmission line 350A that electrically connects the first antennaassembly 370A to the microwave signal source 310, defining a firstchannel; a second quarter wavelength transmission line 350B thatelectrically connects the second antenna assembly 370B to the microwavesignal source 310, defining a second channel; a third quarter wavelengthtransmission line 350C that electrically connects the third antennaassembly 370C to the microwave signal source 310, defining a thirdchannel; and a fourth transmission line 350D that electrically connectsthe fourth antenna assembly 370D to the microwave signal source 310,defining a fourth channel. Transmission lines 350A, 350B, 350C, and 350Deach include one or more electrically conductive elements, such aselectrically conductive wires. In an embodiment, transmission lines350A, 350B, 350C, and 350D each have substantially the same length,which preserves the phase relationship between electrical signals ineach channel of the electrosurgical system 300.

As is known in the art, for maximum power transfer between a powersource (e.g., microwave signal source 310) and a load (e.g., antennaassemblies 370A, 370B, 370C, 370D), the load impedance must be equal tothe source impedance. For the case wherein the transmission line betweenthe power source and the load is quarter wavelength, as described withreference to the embodiment of FIG. 3, an impedance of the microwavesignal source 310 is calculated using the following equation (1):Z _(in) =Z _(o) ² /Z _(L)  (1)

In equation (1), Z_(in) is the input impedance to the quarter wavelengthtransmission lines 350A, 350B, 350C, and 350D (e.g., the impedance atthe microwave signal generator 310), Z_(o) is the characteristicimpedance of the quarter wavelength transmission lines 350A, 350B, 350C,and 350D (e.g., the impedance at the microwave power splitter 330), andZ_(L) is the impedance of the antenna assemblies 370A, 370B, 370C, 370D.Applying equation (1) to the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 3, yieldsthe following equation (2) to account for the four inputs to the quarterwavelength transmission lines 350A, 350B, 350C, and 350D:4*Z _(in) =Z _(o) ² /Z _(L)  (2)

Since Z_(L) must equal Z_(in) to achieve maximum power transfer, asdiscussed hereinabove, solving for the characteristic impedance Z_(o) ofthe quarter wavelength transmission line yields the following equation(3):Z _(o)=2*Z _(in)  (3)

By way of example, given that Z_(L)=Z_(in)=50 ohms, the characteristicimpedance Z_(o) of the transmission lines 350A, 350B, 350C, and 350D isequal to 100 ohms, and the electrical length of the transmission lines350A, 350B, 350C, and 350D is set to a quarter wavelength, the loadimpedance Z_(L) of the antenna assemblies 370A, 370B, 370C, 370D at theinput of the power splitter 330 is transformed from 50 ohms, whichcorresponds to a full wavelength, to 200 ohms, which corresponds to aquarter wavelength (i.e., 50 ohms/0.25=200 ohms). Since the four antennaassemblies 370A, 370B, 370C, 370D are in parallel with microwave signalgenerator 310, the equivalent resistance Z_(L) of the antenna assemblies370A, 370B, 370C, 370D is equal to 200 ohms divided by four antennaassemblies or 50 ohms. Since Z_(IN)=50 ohms=Z_(L), maximum powertransfer will occur between microwave signal generator 310 and each ofantenna assemblies 370A, 370B, 370C, 370D.

Although the electrosurgical system 300 illustrated in FIG. 3 includesfour microwave ablation antenna assemblies 370A, 370B, 370C, and 370Dand four quarter wavelength transmission lines 350A, 350B, 350C, and350D, it is to be understood that any N number of antenna assemblies andany N number of quarter wavelength transmission lines may be utilized.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an electrosurgical system 400 fortreating tissue, according to another embodiment of the presentdisclosure. Referring to FIG. 4, the electrosurgical system 400illustrated is a three-channel system that includes a microwave signalsource 410, a microwave amplifier 420, a first, a second, and a thirdmicrowave ablation antenna assembly 470A, 470B, and 470C, and acontroller 430 that includes one input 432 and a first, a second, and athird output 434A, 434B, and 448C.

The electrosurgical system 400 includes a first transmission line 475Athat electrically connects the first antenna assembly 470A to the firstoutput 434A, defining a first channel; a second transmission line 475Bthat electrically connects the second antenna assembly 470A to thesecond output 434B, defining a second channel; and a third transmissionline 475C that electrically connects the third antenna assembly 470C tothe third output 434C, defining a third channel. The first, second, andthird transmission lines 475A, 475B, and 475C each include one or moreelectrically conductive elements, such as electrically conductive wires.In an embodiment, the first, second, and third transmission lines 475A,475B, and 475C each have substantially the same length, which preservesthe phase relationship between electrical signals in each channel of theelectrosurgical system 400.

The microwave signal source 410 provides a microwave frequency outputsignal to the amplifier 420. The microwave amplifier 420 provides anoutput signal through an output terminal that is electrically coupled tothe input 432 of the controller 430. Although the amplifier 420 isillustrated as a standalone module in FIG. 4, it is to be understoodthat the amplifier 420 may be integrated fully or partially into thecontroller 430. Controller 430 includes a first output-side directionalcoupler 465A, a second output-side directional coupler 465B, and a thirdoutput-side directional coupler 465C. Output-side directional couplers465A, 465B, 465C are configured to measure power at each output 434A,434B, 434C, respectively, and to transmit a microwave signal, receivedas input, to antenna assemblies 470A, 470B, and 470C.

The controller 430 includes a first isolator 422 electrically coupledbetween the input 432 and an input-side directional coupler 424. Thefirst isolator 422 operates to appear as a fixed matching load to themicrowave signal source 410 to prevent detuning thereof due tovariations in load impedance caused by, for example, antenna assemblies470A, 470B, and 470C and/or transmission lines 475A, 475B, and 475C. Thefirst isolator 422 transmits the microwave signal from the amplifier 420to the input-side directional coupler 424. The input-side directionalcoupler 424 measures the microwave signal received from the amplifier420 as input and transmits the microwave signal to a first switchingdevice 440 electrically coupled thereto. The first switching device 440transmits the microwave signal to any one or more of a 1:2 power divider450, a 1:3 power divider 452, and/or a second switching device 442,individually or in any combination thereof.

Upon receiving the microwave signal from switching device 440, powerdivider 450 divides the microwave signal as output between the secondswitching device 442 and a third switching device 444. Upon receivingthe microwave signal from switching device 440, power divider 452divides the microwave signal as output between the second switchingdevice 442, the third switching device 444, and the third output-sidedirectional coupler 465C. The third output-side directional coupler 465Cpowers antenna assembly 470C by transmitting the microwave signalreceived from power divider 452 to the third output 434C.

Upon receiving the microwave signal from any combination of the firstswitching device 440, power divider 450, and/or power divider 452, thesecond switching device 442 transmits the microwave signal to the firstoutput-side directional coupler 465A. The first output-side directionalcoupler 465A powers antenna assembly 470A by transmitting the microwavesignal received from the second switching device 442 to the first output434A.

Upon receiving the microwave signal from any combination of powerdivider 450 and/or 452, the third switching device 444 transmits themicrowave signal to the second output-side directional coupler 465B. Thesecond output-side directional coupler 465B powers antenna assembly 470Bby transmitting the microwave signal received from the third switchingdevice 444 to the second output 434B.

In operation of electrosurgical system 400, depending on theconfiguration of switching devices 440, 442, and 444, the output powervalues corresponding to the three outputs 434A, 434B, and 434C for agiven power P will be either P, 0, and 0; P/2, P/2, and 0; or P/3, P/3,and P/3.

Controller 430 further includes a first isolator 460A electricallycoupled between the second switching device 442 and the firstoutput-side directional coupler 465A; a second isolator 460Belectrically coupled between the third switching device 444 and thesecond output-side directional coupler 465B; and a third isolator 460Celectrically coupled between power divider 452 and the third output-sidedirectional coupler 465C. First, second, and third isolators 460A, 460B,and 460C are configured to appear as a fixed matching load to themicrowave signal generator 410 to prevent detuning thereof due tovariations in load impedance caused by, for example, antenna assemblies470A, 470B, and 470C and/or transmission lines 475A, 475B, and 475C.

Switching devices 440, 442, 444 may be any suitable switching deviceconfigured to output power to a load connected thereto based on morethan one inputs such as, for example, a single pole double throw switch(SPDT), a single pole triple throw switch (SP3T), etc.

In embodiments, any one or more of isolator 422 and isolators 460A,460B, 460C may be a three-port circulator, as is known in the art,having one of its three ports terminated in a fixed matching load to themicrowave signal source 410 to effectively operate substantially asdescribed above with reference to isolator 422 and/or isolators 460A,460B, 460C.

The controller 430 may include one or more phase detectors (not shown)to compare the respective phases of electrical signals inputted throughthe input 432. By comparing a reference signal, such as a clock signal,to a feedback signal using a phase detector, phase adjustments may bemade based on the comparison of the electrical signals inputted, to setthe phase relationship between electrical signals in each channel of theelectrosurgical system 400.

In an embodiment, the controller 440 delivers phase-controlled microwavepower through the outputs 434A, 434B and 434C to the antenna assemblies470A, 470B and 470C, respectively, irrespective of the phase of theelectrical signal inputted through the input 432.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method for providing energy to atarget tissue, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.Referring to FIG. 5, in step 510, a plurality of energy delivery devicesare positioned into a portion of the target tissue. The energy deliverydevices may be implemented using any suitable electrosurgicalinstruments or devices, such as, for example, the device 130, accordingto embodiments of the present disclosure described in connection withFIG. 1.

The energy delivery devices are positioned into a portion of a targetsite on the tissue or adjacent to a portion of a target site on thetissue. The energy delivery devices are inserted directly into tissue,inserted through a lumen, such as a vein, needle or catheter, placedinto the body during surgery by a clinician or positioned in the body byother suitable methods. The energy delivery devices include any suitableantenna assemblies for the delivery of electromagnetic radiation, suchas, for example, the antenna assemblies 270A, 270B and 270C, accordingto embodiments of the present disclosure described in connection withFIG. 2.

In step 520, microwave power is selectively transmitted on a pluralityof channels to any one or more of the energy delivery devices. Themicrowave power may be transmitted to the energy delivery devices fromthe microwave power splitter 230, according to embodiments of thepresent disclosure described in connection with FIG. 2, the microwavepower splitter 330, according to embodiments of the present disclosuredescribed in connection with FIG. 3, or the controller 440, according toembodiments of the present disclosure described in connection with FIG.4.

In step 530, microwave energy from any one or more energy deliverydevices is applied to the target tissue.

While several embodiments of the disclosure have been shown in thedrawings, it is not intended that the disclosure be limited thereto, asit is intended that the disclosure be as broad in scope as the art willallow and that the specification be read likewise. Therefore, the abovedescription should not be construed as limiting, but merely asexemplifications of particular embodiments. Those skilled in the artwill envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of theclaims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for providing energy to tissue,comprising: positioning a plurality of energy delivery devices intotissue; supplying energy to an input of a first power splitting deviceand to an input of a second power splitting device; selectively dividingenergy at the first power splitting device between at least two energydelivery devices from the plurality of energy delivery devices; andselectively dividing energy at the second power splitting device betweenthe at least two energy delivery devices and another energy deliverydevice of the plurality of energy delivery devices.
 2. A methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the step of selectively dividing energy atthe first power splitting device further includes dividing the energyeither equally or unequally between the at least two energy deliverydevices of the plurality of energy delivery devices.
 3. A methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the step of selectively dividing energy atthe second power splitting device further includes dividing the energyeither equally or unequally between the at least two energy deliverydevices and the other energy delivery device of the plurality of energydelivery devices.
 4. A method according to claim 1, further comprisingselectively dividing energy at either the first or second powersplitting device based on at least one pre-determined time interval. 5.A method according to claim 1, further comprising selectively dividingenergy at either the first or second power splitting device based on adesired ablation geometry.
 6. A method according to claim 1, wherein thestep of positioning the plurality of energy delivery devices into tissueincludes inserting a plurality of rigid elongated needle structuresdirectly into tissue.
 7. A method according to claim 1, wherein the stepof positioning the plurality of energy delivery devices into tissueincludes inserting a plurality of bendable elongated needle structuresdirectly into tissue.
 8. A method according to claim 1, furthercomprising providing a fixed load at a plurality of outputs of each ofthe first and second power splitting devices.
 9. A method according toclaim 1, further comprising preserving a phase relationship between eachenergy delivery device of the plurality of energy delivery devices usinga plurality of transmission lines, by electrically coupling theplurality of energy delivery devices to a plurality of outputs of eachof the first and second power splitting devices, wherein eachtransmission line of the plurality of transmission lines havingsubstantially the same length.
 10. A method according to claim 1,wherein the step of supplying energy includes supplying microwaveenergy.
 11. A method according to claim 1, wherein the step ofselectively dividing energy at the first power splitting device includesdividing power between a first energy delivery device and a secondenergy delivery device, and selectively dividing energy at the secondpower splitting device includes dividing power between the first andsecond energy delivery devices and a third energy delivery device.
 12. Amethod according to claim 11, further comprising transmitting energy totissue equally between the first, second, and third energy deliverydevices.
 13. A method according to claim 11, further comprisingtransmitting energy to tissue equally between the first and secondenergy delivery devices.
 14. A method according to claim 11, furthercomprising transmitting energy to tissue exclusively with the firstenergy delivery device.